Top ten party games for children’s parties

A fun children’s party depends on the games you choose. There are a number of games that almost always work well at parties, no matter what theme you choose. Below are our top ten games for a children’s party:

1. Statue Dance
   Dance to the music and freeze as soon as the music stops. Anyone who moves is out and helps with the music. The kids who are out can also help watch who stays still the longest.
2. Object Dance
   Stand in a circle and pass an object around to the music. Whoever holds the object when the music stops is out. The last one remaining wins. The object can vary depending on the theme. For example, use a horse riding helmet, water gun, magic wand, handcuffs, etc.
3. Pietje Puk
   In the middle of the circle, place a pile of candies or chips (not too many). Send one child out of the room and let the others point out which candy Pietje Puk will be. The child outside then returns and slowly takes one candy at a time. If they pick the chosen candy, all the children shout: Pietje Puk! Everyone gets a turn. Try to distribute it fairly and give a little extra to children who have bad luck at the end. Depending on the theme, Pietje Puk can be: Piet the Pirate, Hedy the Witch, Princess Pia, or Knight Radbout.
4. Chinese Dinner
   Place a large bowl of chips (or candies) on the table. The kids roll the dice and if they roll a six, they have to put on a hat, wrap a scarf around their neck, and eat as much as they can with chopsticks until the next six is rolled.
5. Cup Memory
   Place several cups upside down on the table and put two identical candies under each pair. For example, two gummy bears, two licorice, two jelly beans, etc. If a child flips two of the same, they get to keep those candies.
6. Balloon Dance
   Everyone ties a balloon to their ankle. When the music starts, everyone tries to stomp on other’s balloons while protecting their own. When the music stops, everyone with an intact balloon gets a point. Then the music resumes for the next round. This continues until only one intact balloon remains. The winner could get a candy.
7. What Am I Touching?
   Put several objects in a pillowcase and let the kids guess what object they’re touching. The objects in the pillowcase are determined by the party’s theme.
8. Silent Sneak
   One child sits blindfolded on the ground (the guard). Behind or beside them is an object. Another child tries to sneak and take the object. If the guard hears a sound, they say stop and point in the direction the sound came from. If they’ve caught the child, that child sits in the middle and the next one tries.
9. Murderer
   Stand in a circle. One child leaves and the others decide who the murderer is. When the child returns, they stand in the middle of the circle. If the murderer winks at another child, that child must quickly fall down. How long until the murderer is caught? There are different variations of this game: find the thief, find the cheater, find the enemy, etc.
10. The Hiding Place
    One player hides while the rest of the group counts to 100. When they reach 100, everyone searches for the hidden player. When someone finds the hidden player, they hide with them. The last person to find the hiding place shouts “The Hiding Place” and is the next one to hide. Depending on the theme, the hiding place could be a castle, a prison, a wizard’s cauldron, etc.

When organizing the party, keep in mind that sometimes children may not find the planned game as enjoyable as expected. Make sure you always have a few backup games. You can also let the children choose the next game from our top ten games for a children’s party!